this valley farmland goes on and on

by mark kazav

long days spent on our knees

bent over

we scooped up hope by the handful

and held it up to the wind

and let it go

below us   prayer

or something like prayer

conversations with something greater

beds on wheels rolled past

pulled by mules

carrying the newly dead

time is a shield   a blanket

a heavy over-shirt

a common well shared by all

on we worked

scooping and lifting

day past into evening

and then on into night

owls made their pleasant sounds

and one by one the stars opened up

and blessed us with light

-----

no one to be seen 

and no one to see me 

this valley farmland goes on and on 

peace 

the sun at noon 

crops growing in the warm light 

as far as the eye can see 

-----

wake up out there 

pay attention 

I have crossed the line 

where one begins to get old 

do not contradict me with nonsense 

you are still young 

you are only as old as you feel 

that’s all denial 

you have never met a person 

who stays young 

you have never met a person 

who fails to get older 

don’t take yourself so seriously 

you are no more or less important 

than the rustles in the tall grass 

made by a jackrabbit 

you are no more or less important 

than the rings of Saturn 

or the ride of lady godiva 

no matter who we are or aren’t 

the sun still rises 

the tide still sweeps the piers 

james lee jobe

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